Gelatine capsule dipping machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(N0 Model.)

J. M. SMITH. GELATINE CAPSULE DIPPING MACHINE.

No.' 465,951. Patented Dec. 29, 1.891.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. M.A SMITH.l GELATINE CAPSULE DIPPING MACHINE.

No. 465,951. Patented Dec. 29, 1891.

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J. IVI. SMITHlv GEL'ATINE GAPSULB DIPPING MACHINE.

No. 465,951. Patent-ed Dec. 29, 1891.

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J. M. SMITH. GELATINE CAPSULE DIPPING MAGHINE.

110.465,951. Patented Dee.29, 1891.

l UNITE STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JESSE M. SMITH, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGOR TO FREDERICK A. IIUBEL.

GELATlNE-CAPSULE-DIPPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 465,951, dated December 29, 1891.

Application filed September 12, 1890. Serial No. 364,776. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, JESSE M. SMITH, of Detroit, in the county of Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gelatine-Capsule-Dipping Mal chines, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates to a machine for dipping capsule-molds in a solution of gelatine and setting the gelatine ou the molds pre paratory to cutting and drying.

In the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front View of the machine, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical sect-ion of the machine on theline X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the machine on the line Y Y of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 sho7 vertical sections and top view of the receiving-plate holder on an enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a vertical section, enlarged, sh owing the lifting device, friction-clamp, and stops. Fig. 8 shows the locking device of the starting-gear. Fig. 9 shows the starting-gear. Fig. 10 shows a front view of the device which operates the clutch on the main driving-pulley and also the deviceV for unlocking the revolving head. Fig. 11 is an end View of the same,showing the device which locks the revolving head. Fig. 12 shows one of the segmental gears which cause the turn-over-plate holder to revolve. Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of the clutch mechanism. Fig. 14 is a top view ofthe same, and Fig. 15 is a cross-section on the line T T of Fig. 14.

Like numbers indicate like parts in all the drawings.

1 is the main frame ofthe machine, in the form of a table with legs.

2 is a standard fixed to the frame, having a horizontal shaft 3 Iixed in its upper end, Figs. 4, 5, and 6. Mounted on the shaft 3 so as to turn freely upon it are two blocks S, to which blocks are xed two fiat plates 7. Each of these plates has a strip fixed to one of its edges, having groove 9 formed in it. On the opposite side of each plate 7 there is a strip 10, having a groove formed in it, which strip is hinged to the plate so that it caribe turned down, as shown in Fig. (5. A handle 11 serves to turn the strip up into place and a catch 12 holds it. A spring (not shown) forces the strip endwise and holds the catch in its'notch.

The capsule-molds are in the shape of pins 13, fixed to the plates 14. The edges of the mold-plates tit into grooves 9 and 9', which hold the inold-plates While the receiving-plate holder is being turned about the shaft 3, but permit the mold-plates to be slid in the direction of the grooves. A disk 4 is fixed to the shaft 3 and to the standard 2, and has anotch 15 formed in it which receives latch 16. This latch Works freely in a slot formed in a yoke 17, fixed to the plate 7. The latch is pivoted at its lower end, and is pressed into the notch bya spring 18. A handle G, fixed to thelatch, serves to draw the latch out of the notch and 4at the same time turn the plate-holder over.

A similar latch and handle are fixed to both plates 7.

Next to and in line with the receiving-plate holder 7 is the dipping-plate holder 19, having grooves at its edges like those on the receiving-plate holder. The grooves in both holders register with each other, so that the mold-plates can be pushed from one to the other. The dipping-plate holder 19 is supported by rods 20, which are guided to move vertically by the blocks 21, xed'to the standard 31. A cross-head 22 connects the rods together. The weight of the dipping plate holder is counterbalanced by a weight or spring through the rod or rods 23. The motion of the holder is limited in its downward direction by the cross-head 22 coming in contact with the point ofthe adjustingscrew 24, Fig. 7. It is limited in its upward movement by the cross-head coming in contact with the hook 25. to the frame of the machine atl 26, Fig. 7, and is held in the position shown by a spring 27, acting on the arm 28, made fast to the hook 25. The hook may be drawn back out of engagement with the cross-head 22 by pulling down on the end of arm l2S, which will permit the holder 19 to move up higher, as it is desirable at times.

It is necessary that the molds be raised at a regular speed, and one means for doing this is fully set forth in Reissued Letters Patent to F. A. Hubel and II. H. Taylor, No. 10,316.

This hook is pivoted v IOO The clamping of t-he belt to the plate-holder in that machine was performed manually. In this machine the clamping of the belt is performed by mechanical means. An endless belt 29 receives continuous regulated speed from a pulley. (Not shown.) This belt passes round a pulley 30, journaled in the standard 31, forming part ofthe frame of the machine. One part of the belt 29 travels vertically upward close to the cross-head 22 and between it and the clamp 32, Fig. 7. This clamp is pivoted to the end of the short arm 33 of a bell-crank, which is pivoted to the cross-head at 34. The long arm of the bell-lever 35 passes through a slot in the cross-head, and a wire or chain 36 is connected to its end and extends down to a convenient distance to be reached by the operator. A spring 37 holds the arm 35 up and holds the clamp 32 away from the belt 29. Vhen the chain 36 is drawn down, the clamp is forced against the belt and pinches it against the cross-head, so that whatever motion the belt 29 may have is given to the dipping-plate holder. Vhen the chain 36 is released, the plate-holder is free to move independcntof the belt.

Directly below the dipping-plate holder 19 is a vessel 38, containing liquid gelatine. This invention is not confined to any particular form or construction of vessel. The vessel shown and described in Letters Patent No. 316,896 to F. A. Hubel and F. Reinhold is well adapted for use in the present invention. stant level and in motion by a circulating device similar to that shown in said Patent No. 316,896, which may be driven by a pulley 39 and belt from any revolving shaft. The vessel niay be heated by a gas-jet 40.

Next to the dipping-plate holder 19 and registering with it is the turnover -plate holder41. This holder 41 has grooved edges like those on the holder 19, so that the moldplates may be slid from one to the other. The turn-'over-plate holder 41 is fixed to a shaft 42, which is journaled in a revolving head 43. This head is fixed to the shaft 44, journaled in the standard 45, fixed to the frame. A bevel-gear 46 is attached tothe shaft 44 and engages the pinion 47, fixed to the shaft 48. This shaft is journaled in hangers 49 and 50, which are fixed to the frame. The pulley 51 revolves loosely on the shaft 48 and has clutch-teeth formed on its hub, as clearly shown in Fig. 14. The clutch 52 is connected 1o the shaft 48 by feathers, so that it can move lengthwise on but cannot turn on the shaft.

53 is a collar fixed to the shaft 48.

54 is an arm journaled on the collar 53 so that it may be turned without moving the collar. A spring 55 bears against the collar 53 and forces the clutch into engagement with the clutch on the pulley 51. A bar 56 is fixed to the clutch 52 and passes freely through an opening in the collar 53 and has fixed' to its end an inclined lug 57, as shown The liquid gelatine is kept at a con-` in Fig. 13. A similar lug 58,with reversed ineline, is fixed to the hub of the arm 54. The arm is normally held in one position` by the link 59, Figs. 11, 13, and 14, so that as the shaft 48 revolves the inclined lug 57 rides up onto the inclined lug 58, and this draws the clutch 52 out of engagement. with the pulley. A weight 60 (see Fig. 1) is fixed to the shaft 48 by an arm placed, preferably, in such a position that the weight is traveling downward when the clutch is being drawn apart by the inclines, the first part of the revolution of the weight having been made while the clutch is in engagement. This weight acts by its inertia to carry the shaft forward slightly at the end of cach revolution and thus draw the clutch apart positively, the inclined faces of the lugs 57 and 58 being so proportioned in relation to the length of the clutch-teeth in engagement that when brought into the position shown in Fig. 14 the clutchteeth will be entirely separated. This continued movement given to the shaft 48 by the cis martire of the weight, completely separating the teeth ofthe clutch, prevents theirchattering,as they would do if their separation depended entirely on the action of the inclines. When the flat faces of the inclined lugs 57 and 58 are brought into the position shown in Fig. 14, the forward movement of the weight will be stopped positively, in which position it will stand until the descent of the dipping-plate will,in a manner hereinafter to be described, cause the arm 54 to be thrown far enough so that the inclined lugs 57 and 58 are disengaged, when the spring will instantly throw the clutch 52 into engagement with the hub of pulley 51 and the shaft 48 will receive another revolution.

There are two or more turn-over-plate holders like 41. Three are shown, Fig. 3; but any number may be used.

It is necessary that the molds be turned over while the liquid gelatine is setting, so that the capsules will be of even thickness, and they may require to be turned at different intervals of time, according to the state of the atmosphere. One arrangement for turning the ,plate-holder 41 is shown in the drawings, and consists of a ring 61, concentric with the shaft 44 and fixed to the standard 45. The upper operative surface of this ring is the frustum of a cone having its apex at the intersection of the center lines of shafts 42 and 44. At convenient intervals there are recesses 62 formed in this ring, which maybe filled with blocks making the conical surface continuous or by segmental gear-blocks similar to those shown at 63, Fig. 12.

Fixed to the shafts 42 are pinions 64, having two opposite fiat sides and gear-teeth on the remaining two sides. These teeth intermesh with those of the segmental gears 63, and, as the revolving head 43 revolves, causes the shaft 42 to make a half-revolution. So long as either flat side of the pinion 64 is in Iony IIO

contact with the conical surface of the ringn 61 the shaft 42 is held against turning and the plate-holder 41 is held in ahorizontal position with the mold-pins standing either vertically up or vertically down. The plain and gear blocks 63 are interchangeable, so that any desired combination may be had. The plate-holders come to rest at the points A, B, and C, and the molds may be removed at either B or C, but are generally removed at C.

It is desirable that the machine may be operated With as little loss of time as possible and at the same time be positive in its operation. To this end itshould be under the control of one person, so that the depression of the dipping-plate holder andthe starting of the revolving head may be done by one operation. A lever 65, Fig. 2, is pivoted' to the frame 31. One end of the lever projects in toward the plate-holder 19. The end of the lever has a detent 66 pivoted to it, which may be raised, but cannot be depressed, without moving the lever 65 with it. A lug 67 projects from the plate-holder 19, and as the latter is depressed the lug engages the detent 66 and forces it and the end of the lever 65 downward; or the plate-holder itself may strike the detent with the same effect. As the lug 67 travels downward the detent travels out of engagement with the lug andv the lever 65 iiies back to the position shown in Fig. 2. Connected to the other end of the lever 65 is a rod 6S,which passes down throughvolving shaft and is frictionally connected with the shaft, which moves intermittently by means of the following mechanism: A collar 76 is fixed to the shaft 72 and bears against one end of the sleeve 73. This collar has a lug 77 on it, which engages the bolt 69. A disk 7S is mounted on the shaft 72 adjacent to pulley 75, so as to slide on it and turn with it. This may be accomplished by making the end of the shaft square and forming a square eye in the disk or other equivalent means. The disk is pressed against the other end of the sleeve 73 by the spring 79, which may be regulated by the thumb-nut 80. The friction of the collar 76 and disk 78 on the sleeve 73 tends to revolve the shaft 72 with the sleeve 73, and it will so revolve whenever the bolt 69 releases it.

Fixed to the shaft 72 is a cam 81, Figs. 10 and 11. This cam acts upon an arm 82, fixed to the shaft 83, journaled in the frame. An

arm 84 is also fixed to the shaft 83, and has itsv end connected by a rod85 to a bolt 86. The end of the bolt 86 strikes a lug 89, fixed to each of the arms of the head 43, and stops the turn-over-plate holder positively in register with the dipping-plate holder. Vhen the bolt is drawn down, it is held down by the catch 90, pivoted to the bar S7 and extending up through the standard 45. Asprlng 88 serves to force the bolt 86 upward when the latter is released. A lug (not shown) on each arm of the revolving head 43 forces the catch 90 back before the plate-holder 41 arrives at the position of rest A, which permits the spring 8S to force the bolt 86 up and stop the revolving head, so that the plate-holder 41 registers exactly with the plate-holder 19. A crank-pin 91; fixed to the shaft 72, is connected by the link 59 with the arm 54, Fig. 2. Vhen the shaft 72 makes one revolution, the end of the arm 54 is moved and returned to its first position, which causes the inclined lug 58 to travel past the lug 57, andthus permits the clutch 52 to engage the pulley 51.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The locking-strip 10 of the upper receivingplate holder 7 is turned down. or set of plates is placed on the plate-holder and the locking-strip 10 closed. The plateholders 7 are then unlocked and turned over by the upper handle 6. The mold-plate is then slid into the dipping-plate holder 19, and at the same time a second plate is put into the receiving-plate holder 7 and turned over. The dipping-plate holder is now pressed down and the molds immersed in the liquid gelatine until stopped bythe screw 24. The end of the chain 36 is pulled down, clamping the crosshead 22 to the belt 29. The moldsl are thus drawn slowly out of the liquid gelatine, and when the ends of the molds leave the gelatine the pressure is let off the clamp and the plateholder rises quickly to its upper position andl is stopped by the hook 25. The molds in the receiving-plate holder 7 are now slid into the dipping-plate holder 19, which forces those in the dipping-plate holder into the turn-over holder 41. laid in and turned over and the dippingplate holder depressed as before. As the dipping-plate holder moves down, it catches the lever 65 and carries it down,which draws the bolt 69 and unlocks the shaft 72. The shaft makes one revolution and is stopped again by the bolt 69, which has come back to its first position. The shaft 72 as it revolves causes the cam 81 to draw the bolt and unlock the revolving head, and the bolt is held down by the catch 90. At the same time the shaft 72 in revolving causes thek crank-pin 91 to draw the lever 54 back and allows the clutch 52 to engage the pulley, which causes the A mold-plate I A new mold-plate isv IOO IIO

position the inclined lug 57 climbs up onto the lug S and draws the clutch apart; but the motion is continued by the weight GO till the revolving head is brought to a positive 5 stop by the bolt S6. This operation is repeated at each depression of the dipping-plate holder 19. lVhen theA revolving head is in motion, the plate-holders l may be turned over continuously or intermittently or not ro turned at all, according to the arrangement of the blocks and the segmental gears in the recesses G2 of the ring (3l. IVhenevei-.the revolving head stops, the mold-plates may be removed at either the position B or C.

It is obvious that manychanges in the relative positions of the elements and in the elements themselves may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. Thus instead of having the spring 37 to act 2o on the clamps to hold it away from the belt an arm may be projected on the opposite side and a weight placed thereon. Se, also, while it is regarded as preferable that the weight (50 shall be descending when the cluch dis- 2 5 engages the pulley, the speed of the shaft and the gravity of the weight may be so regulated that it will operate in the same manner if the disengagement takes place while the weight is ascending and the weight arrested at the upper part of its revolution.

So, instead of having the segmental gearblocks detachably placed in sockets in the ring, permanent gear-teeth may be cast on the face of the ring. So, also, instead of a 5 lug 67 on the reciprocating dipping -plate holder, there may be used any other means of tripping the lever with the movement either of the reciprocating plate or of a reciprocating gelatine-vessel. Both the plate and gelaffine-vessel may and have been movable, the

only essential thing being that the molds shall be immersed in the gelatine to the requisite depth to form the capsule. So, also, instead of a rotary receiving-plate holder, a fixed receiving-plate holder` may be used, into which the plate may be slid by hand, with its pins pointing downward, and thence be slid into the dipping-plate holder; or the receivingplate holder may be dispensed with entirely 5o and the plates slid, pins down, into the dipping-plateholder. So,also,theturnover-plate holders, instead of being attached to a head revolving in a horizontal plane, may be attached to one which revolves in a vertical 5 5 plane either about a central axis or carried on an endless chain, the position of the shaft.

and gears in such cases to be modied to suit the new conditions.

I have shown in the drawings and described 6o in the specification the entire machine, al-

though I only claim to be the sole inventor of the particular combinations set forth in the following claims, which combinations were added by me to the machine originally invented by Frederick A. llubel, with combinations which were operative but not automatic, being operated by hand, as set forth in his application, Serial No. 3G-L7M, and to which he and I jointly made additions and improvements, as set forth in oui` joint application, Serial No. 36h78?, the herein-claimed combinations having been invented by myself alone, and the three applications founded upon the machine (shown in full in the drawings of each) are concurrently made in his name, in our joint names, or in my own name, according to the facts of sole or joint invention, and I therefore disclaim as being of my sole invention any of the combinations set forth in the claims of either of the said sole applications of said F. A. I'Iubel or the joint application of said IIubel and myself filed herewith.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patentisl. In combination with turn-over mechanism and the dipping-plate holder 19, the lever G5, detent 66, rod G8, spring-pressed bolt G9, loose revolving sleeve 7 3, collar 7G, having a lug 77, and shaft 72, whereby the shaft is unlocked, so that it may revolve and throw in the plate-turn-over mechanism when the dipping-plate holder is pressed downward, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the shaft 72, loose rotating sleeve 73, fixed collar 76, and disengaging device, the sliding disk 7S and spring 79, whereby'the sleeve is frictionally engaged with the shaft to give motion 4to the same when the latter is disengaged, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with the intermittentlyrotating shaft 72, cam Sl, arm S2, shaft 88, arm 8l, the bolt S6, and revolving head 43, whereby the latter is unlocked by the rotation of the shaft 72, substantially as set forth.

et. In combination with the intermittentlyrotating shaft 72, a crank-pin 9I,link 59, arm 54, clutch 52, pulley 5I, and lugs 57 58,whcreby the shaft 48 and revolving head I3 are put in motion when the shaft 72 is .(lisengaged, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination witha vertically-movable dipping-plate holder, stop mechanism, and a connection therefrom to said dippingplate holder, whereby the depression of said dipping-plate holder momentarily withdraws said stop mechanism and permits the machine to operate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

G. In a capsule-dipping machine, the combination, with a continnously-revolving friction-sleeve, of a shaft in frictional contact therewith, connected with a clutch on the main driving-shaf t, a conrinuously-revolving loose driving-pulley on said main shaft adapted to engage with said clutch, stop mechanism on said frictionally-driven shaft, a movable dipping-plate holder, and tripping mechanism connected with said stop mechan- IOO IOS

ism and lyingin the path of said dipping-plate I In testimony whereof have hereunto subholder, substantially as and for the purposes scribed my name in the presence of two atset forth. testing Witnesses.

7. In combination with a Ipovable dippingf 5 plate holder, with its guiding-rods and eross- JESSE M. SMITH.

heed, a clamp attached thereto, a belt traveling at a prescribed rate of speed, t spring Witnesses: normallyv holding said clamp open, and a. le- RODNEY MASON, Ver for closing said clamp upon a belt, sub- M. A. HOWIE.

1o stantially as shown and described. 

